Vicki Boutin

Using Mixed Media on Smaller Format Documenting | Nathalie D.

Hello there!

Nathalie here with a few ideas on how you can add mixed media to your smaller format documenting.   Well, if you were able to watch Vicki's latest Friday Night Live, then you also watch Vicki work with black paint for her background.  And, if you have seen my work, then you know that I happen to love black and mixed media.   So, I put Vicki's ideas to work on my daily documenting, and here are the results:

 

 

I started with following Vicki's technique of adding the paint with a brayer, then stencil with a white art crayon followed with a color art crayon on top; to then finish with a second stencil and texture paste. 

 

I am using cool and neutral art crayons with a new Fernwood stencil.  The gold texture paste was applied through an exclusive Vicki Boutin stencil.

 

And here is how I transformed it into a title page for my pocket spread (personal journal).  I am using Fernwood to create my pocket page cards,title, and embellishments.

 

For this page, I stated by painting the black paint with a wide brush on Foundation paper.   I mixed art crayon with iridiscent glaze and added it through a new Fernwood collection stencil.   The leftover glaze was diluted and added as splatters to the page.

 

 

I used this background in my Family Journal.  The colors in the photo were the inspiration for the iridiscent glaze colors.   A few embellishments from Fernwood complete the page.

 

For the last project, I  used a scrapper to add the paint to the foundation paper, then used gold glaze to stamp my background.  This works best with a rubber stamp (as they are firmer and give a better definition than polymer stamps),  I finished it with drops of diluted gold glaze

 

I am using the background to create my layout, then adding an entire ledger page (6x8 Fernwood paper pad) to add the long story that accompanies the photo.   In order to balance the photo, I created a large cluster at the bottom of the ledger paper.

 

IN case you missed Vicki's latest techniques, just click here to visit the video.

I cannot wait to see what you create with VIcki's new techniques and ideas

 

XO

 

 

Christmas Tags with Warm Wishes | Nathalie

Hi there!

Nathalie with you today to share a bit of Christmas fun with Warm Wishes.   This collection is beautiful, and there is so much you can create with it!  From tags to layouts to home decor, the possibilities are endless.. So, today I want to share with you a few tags that are sure to cheer up your packages, cards and albums.

 

I had so much fun creating these, and were so easy to put together.

 

 

For my first tag, I use kraft paper as the base of the tag (used a die set from Pinkfresh Studio to cut the papers),then cut a second banner from the Holiday paper.    I used a second die set (Echo Park) to cut the greenery then layered it under the large floral ephemera piece.   I diluted some gesso, and splattered all over the card.  I am using a bit of foam adhesive to attach a few puffy sticker sentiments to the tag.  Simple layers!!

 

 

For my next tag, I started with foundation paper.  I used my red art crayon and a stencil brush to add a bit of color to the background.   I used gold glaze and one of the new stencils to apply a bit of texture and shine to the tag. The left over glaze was then diluted and splatter on the tag.

 

 

I used ephemera pieces to decorate the tag,  no need for much more as I wanted the background to also show in the tag!

 

 

For my final tag, I went heavy on mixed media.   I started with a bit of script stamping on foundation paper using archival ink.  Then, I used the new Warm Wishes stamp set to heat emboss white embossing powder onto the background.    Using the teal art crayon, I diluted some of it  and added it as pigment to the tag.  Once the background dried, then I used a baby wipe to  buff the embossed areas.   

 

 

To finish the tag, I pulled a few of the chipboard heart and stars and added them to the tag ( I used a die to cut the tag).   I added a ribbon bow, and then added a small sentiment from the puffy sticker words.   

 

 

I love how these turned out, and I cannot wait to use them on  different Christmas projects.

XO

 

More cards using Storyteller | Nicole Nowosad

Hi there VBoo fans! Nicole here today to share a fun set of cards using one of the Storyteller stamp sets and a super easy water marking technique.

 

Can you spot the technique in that photo? it is really subtle. I created each of these cards using a stencil brush and art crayons as a base and then used stamps and stencils to stamp various patterns on the cards.

Next, I added some watermarking using Color Study stamps that I stamped in plain old water! I then stamped the image on each card and pressed down VERY tightly and held it in place for a minute or two for the water to absorb into the foundations paper. You can really see the heart in the image above and how subtle (but cool!) this technique is.

It is super subtle but you can see the ink splat stamp in teh bottom left corner of this photo (above). This is great for when you want splatters but not a strong pop of color.

How about the water marking on this card, can you spot it:

I used the polka dot stamp with this technique and really love the result on this one - so subtle but I can see it! Adds such great texture to the background of the card!

 

I hope you will give this one a try, it is super easy and a very subtle but cool effect!

 

Slimline cards with Nicole Nowosad

Hi there! Nicole here today to share some fun stamped cards using the Color Study stamp sets.

I think the Color study stamp sets are my most favourite of all of Vicki’s collections, I just live the texture elements in each set that you can use.

 

I started both cards using peach art crayon and the ever popular “kissing” technique. To my first card, I added some gold glaze as well over the top once the art crayon was completely dry. I added in some droplets of rust from one of my Dirmstress Oxide inks and the base of the card was complete.

I took a separate sheet of foundations paper and kissed the background with rust, and brown art crayon and let it dry. I then stamped the pretty fall leaf images over it and painted some gold glaze to parts of the leaf stamp. I fussy cut them and layered them on my card.

 

For my second card I used peach art crayon again and my stencil brush, and the added some polka dot stamps from the Color study set using Distress Oxide ink. I then added a grid of stitches to the front and a stamped sentiment from my stash to build the pattern - and add a sentiment at the same time ! 

I stamped the flowers from the Color Study set onto vellum and fussy cut those out and added them to my card to finish it off! 

I think these turned out great, and was the first time I tried the slimline style of card too!

I hope you are inspired to use your Color Study stamps to create your own cards too!

 

Using Mixed Media to Document Fall with Nathalie

Hi there!

Nathalie with you today to share a new idea on documenting Fall using mixed media ( and quite a bit of it, too!).   If  you  have followed Vicki or me for a while, then you probably have heard her refer to my style as "black/dark".  Well, it probably is no secret that I love black, but what she refers to is my love for grunge.   So, today, I want to show you a small bit of my style using Color Study to document Fall

 

 

Let me start by saying that I love how this page turned out even when it took almost 3 hours to complete.  It is  a simple design with lots of layers, it is in waiting for each layer of mixed media to dry on its own, that the time just increased.

 

 

The base of my page is built on foundation paper using only the Neutral Art Crayon set to add color of the background.  I started by using a plate to create the wreath outline. then  adding diluted art crayon to give the background shape and color.  I, then, used a BoBunny stamp to create the two layers of stamping on the background ( one is pigment ink, the other art crayon).  A little bit of texture and shine followed with some Gold Glaze and one of Vicki's exclusive stencils, and then finished the look with splatters of diluted gesso on the page.

 

 

Once the background dried, I re-drew the paper shape a few times with a marker.  Then fussy cut a few Color Study patterned papers to create the embellishments of this page.  In addition, I used a Tim Holtz-Sizzix die set to create leaves and branches from one of the pre-made mixed media background paper.

 

 

I backed the picture with a piece of the 6x8 paper pad, and a piece of ephemera.  A bit of foam adhesive helps to make the picture from the page.  I used the fussy cut images to create clusters around the photo - making sure that they sit towards the inside of the wreath-, then used the die cut leaves to follow the circular design of the wreath. 

 

 

I added just a few extra embellishments to complete the page.  You can watch how the page came together in the following video:

 

VIDEO

 

 

I hope this inspires you to use Color Study and mixed media to document your Fall memories!

 

XO

 

 

 

Fall Documented with Color Study | Nathalie

Hi there!

Nathalie with you today to share a fun and quick idea to document Fall.  Autumn is my favorite season!  The texture, colors and coziness of the season are probably what I look forward the most during the year.   After watching the past two Friday Night Lives with Vicki, and seeing how she created her layout.  I decided to create my version of it with a shortcut and Color Study,  

 

Love the colors of the page, and how easy the leaves were created.  My secret/shortcut... Pre-made Mixed Media Backgrounds.

 

 

I used Vicki's  latest cut file to cut a 3 sets of the leaves out of one of the premade mixed media papers using my Silhouette Cameo (double cut setting).  Before peeling the leaves off the mat, I added a few splatters of diluted gold ink, and set it aside to dry.

 

 

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In the mean while, I started working on the background for my page.   I chose the Palette paper for this.  First, I used Archival Ink (Watering Can) to stamp a few script lines around the page .  Right after, I used Gold Glaze, and a Stencil Brush to create the impression of Vicki's Dots stencil atop of the stamped images. 

 

 

I started to assemble my page with the photo (a few paper layers frame the photo), I set this in the center of the page.   Then it was all about building clusters of leaves around  the area with the gold dot impression.

 

 

I made sure to leave a bit of space between the leaves.  A bit of foam adhesive helps to create the dimension you see in the leaves.   Also, I was careful not to cover all the mixed media work in the background.  Since the leaves have already plenty of interest, I only added a few embellishments around the clusters.

 

 

Finally, I used a few of the Alpha stickers to create the title for the page.  I set these to the left of the photo. A few extra stickers and phrase stickers is all I needed to complete my page.

 

 

I love how this turned out. The colors are just amazing; a clean, modern, colorful, and fun way to document Fall!  I cannot wait to see what you will do with Color Study and Fall documenting!

 

XO

Flourescent Texture Paint Fun with Nathalie

Hi there!

Nathalie with you today  with a bit more fun with new Flourescent Texture Paint.    I just got the new texture paste; so, I am playing with it to see how it reacts with other mediums.    Slowly, I am  learning how to deal with the neon intensity of the paints.  Today, I wanted to find a way to camouflage some of the intensity of the paint but still have it be present in the page.   Here is what I have created:

 

 

I love how this turned out, plus it just worked for the images of my little sister.   I had so much fun with the background and all the layers of mixed media in this page.

 

I started with a Foundation paper, then diluted the flourescent paint and used it to paint the circles in Vicki's Large Circle stencil (exclusively available in her shop).  Once they dried, I followed with some stamping using black art crayons.  Next, I used one of  Color Study's new stamps and metallic ink to add more details to the background. Finally, I diluted gesso with water, and added splatters of it to the background.  The black stamping emphasizes the paint, and covers some of  it, while the gesso, creates a bleached look on the neon paint.

 

I used papers from Color study that matched the colors in the background.   I added a second frame to the photos with black patterned paper (Inspired paper).   I placed this on the page on a zig zag formation, so that it brings movement to the page.

 

I kept the embellishing simple so that they do not compete with the colorful background.   The round  ephemera just brings the repeated element of the background  forward.  The butterflies help to tie all the pieces together in the page.

 

 

I added a bit of color to the right of the page using washi tape in complementary colors.  This helps to balanced the page.  You can see how the page comes together in the following video:

 

VIDEO

 

 

 

I love how this turned out and all the new ways that I can incorporate the neon paints into my layouts.  Remember to check for the paint and exclusive stencils in VIcki's  shop.

 

'Til next time

 

 

 

Fun with Flourescent Paint with Nathalie

Hello there!

Nathalie with you today to share a new page that features the new Flourescent paints from Color Study collection.  I finally got my set of paints, and all of VIcki's new stencils!  So, what better way to create a page than to mix them in.  

 

I just love how this page combines a bit of me ( my love for black/grungy colors) and Vicki's love for rainbows and neon.   I started the  page by applying diluted art crayon to a Foundation Paper with a brayer. Once it dried, I used both Color Study stamp sets and Watering Can ( gray) Archival ink to stamp a few images on the background.

 

I then, used the new Flourescent paints and one of Vicki's exclusive stencils ( Art Layers)  to create a rainbow of splatters on the background.  I diluted the leftover paint with water, and added it as extra splatters around the page.

 

I pulled all the circle ephemera and stickers that I had left in my  stash to create the clusters around the pictures.   I tried to color block the embellishments to the background  -this just makes each color area pop -.  I added a few phrase stickers around each of the clusters, this unifies the look of the clusters and makes the page cohesive.

 

 

I  pulled a combination of Alpha tickers, and cardstock stickers to create the title for this page. This  was placed at the bottom of the page. You can check  how the page came together in the following video.

 

VIDEO

 

 

I really love how this turned out, and it took no time  to put together.   Remember to check all of Vicki's Color Study collection and mixed media products.  There is so much magic to create with all of it

 

' til next time

XO

This is Life with Nicole Nowosad

Hi everyone! I thought I would switch things up a bit and create a super clean and simple layout using Color Study.

My inspiration came from this vellum title in one of the ephemera packs from Color Study. I thought the rainbow in the letters would be a great way to use up some scraps of paper I have been hoarding from this fantastic collection.

I lined up some patterned paper that went closely with the colors in the vellum title and did my best to trim them down to the same width as the colors in the title. I found i had to cut wider strips and layer then under each other so it wasn't too flimsy. Color Study has so many great paper choices, it wasn't hard to nail down the rainbow effect from my stash.

 

Once my rainbow was done, I stitched it down to the background, so the title peeks out the top. I decided to use the Color Study stamps to stamp the polka dots behind my photos and then set to creating my own floral embellishments using the flower stamps and some vellum. I used Staz On ink and once it was set, I painted some of Vicki's Iridescent Glaze to them and set them to dry.

The vellum won't like the wetness of the glaze, so even once dry, I set them to cool under some books to flatten out a little. I don't mind the curves on the flowers as it adds a little of natural dimension. I also added in some additional fussy cut flowers from Color Study patterned paper to add some larger florals onto my page.

I know this page is simple, but sometimes simple is good right! I hope you are inspired to let a piece of ephemera inspire your next layout!

Gel Crayon Fun with Nathalie

Hello there!

Nathalie with you today to bring some inspiration using Vicki's Color Study collection.    Many of you have the new gel crayons in your stash.  So, I decided to show you an idea with these crayons.   As always this page started with no plan in mind, just an idea, and I love the results

 

I had this idea to make a background filled with colorful circles..  I started with a well gesso foundation paper, and a few found objects that have a circular outline.  Using a pencil, I drew the circles on the page.

 

 

Using the gel crayons, I drew each of the outlines with them, then using water,  I started to dilute the color and painted each circle.  Some of the circles just fused with the other ones, and you can see the color fusion where the two circles meet.  While others just show a nice color change in the areas where they meet other circles.

 

 

Once the circles dried, I used the gel crayons to add interest to the background. First, I used the art crayon to stencil inside the circles, all I needed was a stencil brush.  Then, using the black gel crayon and some water, I created pigment that was used to stamp a few dots around the circles.  To finish the page, I used gold glaze to add stars, shine and texture to the page.

 

 

To construct my layout, I am using two photos and adding a few layers of paper and tags behind each of them.   I am placing them at the corners of the page ( so that they cover the not so clean edges of the background!), diagonally against each other.  I repeated the embellishments in each of the photos, so that they balance the page nicely.

 

 

Finally, I added my title using the black puffy alphas ( a nice contrast to the color in the background), as well as a few puffy dots around the entire page.   I used the bottom edge of the page to add my lines of journal, and voila!  I have created a video that shows how the page came together.

 

VIDEO

 

I hope this gives you an idea on how to use the Gel Crayons on the background of your layouts.  I cannot wait to see what you create with some of these ideas!

 

XO